By A Deputy Attorney-General, Diana Asonaba Dapaah, has condemned the alleged marriage of a 12-year-old girl to Gborbu Wulomo.
According to her, regardless of whether the girl, Naa Okromo, is currently 12 years old or is turning 16 years soon, the law strongly disapproves of her marriage to the 63-year-old priest.
Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, April 6, Mrs. Dapaah stated, “Whether 12, 15, or 16, the law is clear if you look at section 14. And for me, I keep saying that this event is a good opportunity for us as Ghanaians to re-sensitize ourselves.”
“It is neither here nor there whether 12, whether 15 or 16 – of course, I’m mindful of Section 122 of Act 560 on the determination of the age of a child. It is key only for purposes of ensuring that Section 14 has not been breached and clearly, the argument being thrown out there whether, 12, 15 or 16 still does not meet the age criteria.”
Read also: Girl married to priest is not 12, she turns 16 in July – Chieftaincy Minister
Her remarks come in the wake of the marriage between Gborbu Wulomo Nuumo Borketey Laweh XXXIII and Naa Okromo, which took place in Nungua near Accra on March 30.
Following the ceremony, the 63-year-old priest has faced severe criticism, with many stakeholders condemning the act as barbaric, retrogressive, and a violation of the child’s rights.
However, the office of the Gborbu Wulomo clarified that the 12-year-old was not married to the Wulomo but to the Gborbu deity.
Once more, the GaDangme Council clarified that the connection between the Gborbu priest and the 12-year-old girl is merely a betrothal and not a marriage.
In reaction to this, Mrs. Dapaah condemned betrothal marriages, citing Section 14 of Act 560, which distinctly defines who a child is until he/she reaches 18 years old.
“Even Section 1, defines a child within the context of Act 560 as 18 so whether 12, 15 or 16 and if we are evoking Section 14, why are we discussing even 12, 15 or 16? But of course, as part of the prosecutorial process on evidence, it is important to determine the age only for the purpose of ensuring that the child is 18 or not but 12, 15 or 16, I’m afraid still doesn’t cut it,” she stressed.
Read also: Any form of child betrothal is a crime – CHRAJ
The Deputy AG reiterated that according to Section 1 and 14 of Act 560, a child is defined as someone who is below 18 years old. She emphasized that if an individual is below 18 years old, betrothal cannot be considered valid.
